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Color blind?

So, I've written several times about the way race continues to be a concern in our society. We live in a world where discussions of race frequently tend to be uncomfortable, particularly for people who don't seem to want to acknowledge that there are differences in our post-modern society based on race. Surely, they think, questions regarding race are all in the past, and we should disregard any/all concerns that are tied to race because it's just bringing up something that has already been resolved.

But has it?

As a white man, I am very aware of the privilege that is associated with my status. It's fascinating. It spills over into things like height - because I'm taller than the average, there is advantage there, too. It's not something I actively seek and take advantage of, and yet it is undeniably there.

I was recently involved with a job interview where one of the other applicants was a short, balding man. And you know? I wasn't as concerned about him as I was a taller guy with a full head of hair. Silly? Yes. True? Yes.

Wishing concerns away doesn't effectively deal with them. Discrimination related to race DOES happen. Discrimination related to gender DOES happen. How are we to deal with it? How can we effectively understand that it does happen, and then actively work to diminish the effects of such discrimination?

The first step is always to acknowledge that it exists. In a recent PLANNING magazine, there were some statistics that highlighted the difference in transportation options and usages based on race. The information was presented with little comment, but there was some invective that was generated in a later letter to the editor (see What's going on here?). The letter reflects the commonly-held viewpoint that we should move on beyond questions of race. I disagree. Issues of race continue to be pervasive and we MUST look at these issues.

Transportation is a big issue, not only in a planning context, but in general. We spend most of our time awake at work; second most use of our time spent commuting. According the magazine statistics, black folks spent a full week longer each year in commuting when compared to white folks. Why is this? What are the social implications? What about the impact on one's health? One's family? And how does a professional planner (like me) help to make appropriate transportation choices available to folks of all races?

I don't have all of the answers, and surely my scope of influence is limited. But every voice, every effort for reason and change is a valuable one, and people can and do make a difference.

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